The Army has disinvited Franklin Graham to speak at the Pentagon on National Prayer Day after a military advocacy group objected because Graham has reportedly described Islam as “evil” and “wicked.”

“I regret that the Army felt it was necessary to rescind their invitation to the National Day of Prayer Task Force to participate in the Pentagon’s special prayer service,” Graham said in a statement on Thursday.

Why do Christians seem to think they are the only game in town? Yes, they are the dominant religious body but no where near majority. Actually, they are less than a third of the total world population.

This is reprehensible! Not allowing a Christian clergy to speak for our service men and women during our National Day of Prayer! We are a Christian nation! Oh wait, almost forgot...the Muslin in the White House says we are not a Christian nation. Seems he has also forgotten our first amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. But then, Muslims don't acknowledge those rights anyway.

Regarding Anonymous #2's comment, I do not think the Army said that a Christian clergy person could not speak, only that Franklin Graham could not speak. Having said that, Franlin Graham and his father are some of the few prominent Christian leaders that have never been tainted by scandal.

I do not think it matters, as Anonymous #1 says, that Christians are "less than a third of the total world population." My answer is, so what? How does that fact have anything to do with the issue of not allowing Graham to speak?

I am offended by the idea that Christianity should not be controversial. Jesus Christ has always been controversial; he was a radical, and his followers are radical. Martin Luther King Jr. even called him an extremist, and indeed, he was an extremist in love and charity. Note Graham's attitude: he is going to pray; he is not angry.

Still, surely a man as well-respected as Graham should be allowed to speak. I do not know if Islam is evil, but surely there are muslims who are, just as there are Christians with evil in their hearts. One thing is for sure, and I am sure Reverend Graham would agree: evil never sleeps.

Im glad the President knows that we are in a delicate war and perhaps we should not aid in recruiting more terrorists to the cause by appearing like the Christian Crusaders of the 11th century.
And I am further glad that the President has more respect for our servicemen who are not Christian but have sworn to serve and protect a nation under "God" by not allowing a man to speak that would call another religion evil.

If Obama was the one who disinvited him, I guess nobody wanted one of his muslim buddies in that ceremony. Shame, I think Mr Graham would have had something to add to the ceremony. We are changing fast, and all those who bought that nonsense, will have to shoulder the consequencies.

The only thing worse than an evangelist who wraps himself in the American flag or Military officer quoting scripture is a political demagogue with a Bible in one hand and an American flag in the other. It always means that someone else is going to die on the battlefield to pay for their narrow minded over zealous ideology.

The Franklin disinvite had absolutely NOTHING to do with free speech or freedom of religion.
I work at the Pentagon, and his views do not represent mine and I consider them intolerant. There are muslims who work at the Pentagon who consider his views towards their religion hostile. These are government employees, service members, and decorated combat veterans.
Inviting him to the Pentagon is a disservice to all the Muslims who work there every single day. And no one who works at the Pentagon will have their freedom abridged by Franklin’s absence, either. There are chaplains and a ministry team that serves all faiths and creeds there. The Pentagon is a federal facility, not a public place. You couldn’t protest Franklin’s presence there if you disagreed with his views (like I do) or you’d be arrested. You cannot even enter the Pentagon if the authorites decide not to admit you, and you may be asked to leave at any time.
The National mall is less than two miles away from the Pentagon; Franklin should get a permit, hold a prayer rally there, in a public place, and anybody who wants to attend can go, from the Pentagon and the rest of the Federal buildings. And people like me, who disagree with his message, would be free to protest his presence.

The Pentagon does not want a Bible believing, sin hating, Gospel preacher but rather a lapdog, whining, ear tickling "reverend". Do you think God will listen, do you think HE will hear and answer? I would not want to take life in hand under that kind of empty praying.Wake up America! Wake up Preachers! Wake up churches!

Richard, your response is ignorant and doesn't make any sense. The Pentagon's ministry team are uniformed military chaplains. Most are veterans of multiple tours in Iraq or Afghanistan or both. They can do a better job serving the spiritual needs of Pentagon personnel and their brothers and sisters in arms than a millionaire televangelist ever could.

Good God! You are one sick puppy. The matter of fact the only thing more disturbing than you is that psychopath of a god you make for yourself and then expect others to adhere to. With folks like you walking this earth God help us all.

Satan may appear to be winning the battle but he will fail in the end. For all of you people in denial, it is your own will. Most of you have been taught how to be saved through Jesus. If you want to disown Him, you do so by your own free will. It is your life to throw away. It is a Christian's responsibility to try and show you the way to the cross and ever lasting life. We already know that we are going to be verbally abused attempting to tell people about the way through Jesus.

None of us are perfect and we demonstrate our imperfections daily. Therefore, you continue to toss your sarcasms at us and we will continue to show you the light. In the end God will prevail and some of us will be with Him and some of us won't.

You aren't even addressing the topic, your just spewing ignorance. No one's religious freedoms were infringed upon, unless your particular sect of Christianity requires a Graham. There will be services at the Pentagon on National Prayer day, as there are every day. The Pentagon is well-served by its ministry team, it doesn't need a millionaire evangelist who is intolerant of others. . .

our country is in trrouble if you work at the pentagon.mr. graham was right about islam. it is based on a demonic vision that mohamed had. bob you ever wonder why muslims dont send out misionaries, its because they convert people to their religion by killing and blowing up others and forcing the surviviors into there evil religion. are all christians perfect? no but they certainly dont act like muslims.many christians also work at the pentagon and are part of our armed forces and im sure it offends them when your muslim loving president bows down to muslim leaders and apoligizes for the preceived wrongs of our country.i never thought i would see in my lifetime people with beliefs like yours be so wide spread in our country, its sickening and a disgrace.its also a disgrace the way obamma and his administration are selling out isreal. yes you and others have a right to your opinions and so do i and all the other christians in this nation.i pray for you and the others that you will one day find salvation and eternal vitory the only way possible- through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. the good that will come from all of the bad moves by the left and the obamma administration is that the country is seeing obammas and the lefts true colors and paving the way for the next ronald reagan. huckabee and palin in 2012.
God bless America

Keith Martin, I am a Special Forces officer with 19 years of service in the Army, and multiple tours in combat, so you're welcome for your freedom Keith! You'd have a boot on your neck right now if it wasn't for guys like me protecting your right to speak freely and spout off as ignorant as you want to be, brother. I am a lifelong roman catholic by the way, and I find Mr Graham's comments about Muslims to be absolutely despicable. He has a right to his opinions, but inviting him to speak at the Pentagon is a slap in the face to all of the Muslims who serve and support our armed forces, as well as the families of Muslim soldiers who have been killed and wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Evangelical christians are not the only people who proudly serve their country, Mr. Martin. There are catholics, eastern orthodox christians, jews, wiccans, atheists, and yes, MUSLIMS who serve their country proudly, just like I do. There are muslim soldiers and marines fighting alongside the evangelicals catholics, and heathens right now in Iraq and Afghanistan, and serving in critical pentagon positions as well. If you ever come to the Pentagon, I would be glad to introduce them to you, and you could spout off about how evil they are. Some of them are pretty big dudes, so you better have your game face on, brother. I know a wiccan female air force non- commissioned officer too, I could introduce you to her in the same shot! And if you had enough time, I could take you to Arlington national cemetery to pay your respects at the graves of muslim soldiers, American heroes who died serving their country and keeping you safe (and free to be as ignorant and intolerant as you want to be). Here's a picture of Corporal Khan's gravestone at Arlington: http://shar.es/muCtw Corporal Khan was only 20 years old when he was killed in Iraq. I wish you and every person like you had the chance to meet the parents of Muslim American soldiers who have been killed or wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan a few minutes before you posted stuff about how this country's going down the tubes because wealthy, millionaire televangelists like Graham can't preach exclusively in federal installations. Most of you, I presume, would not have the guts. . .
PS: It's not "ISREAL", it's "Israel", and the president's last name has only one "M". Thanks for the prayers, by the way. I am deploying again in a few months to Afghanistan, and I hope you pray for all American Soldiers, regardless of their faiths.

notice i put my whole name bob so i do have the guts and i dont care how big the witch or any of the other dudes are , they are not as big as Jesus Christ. i guess the muslim army officer that shot up everybody in texas was proudly serving his country too(what country-usa or a muslim country) those soldiers at arlinton you mention did pay the ultimate sacrifice so i do comend them but maybe you should go stand by the graves of every person blown up on 9/11 and speak to their parents or children or anny of the people at arlington you mention that were killed in the name of islam. Thank you for helping to preserve my freedom and good luck on your next tour but just because i disagree with your twisted liberal view of the world does not make me ignorant.i may not spell very well , nor do i type well but i do know that islam is evil and muslims will not be happy until they kill every american , christian, jew, and even you bob. GOD BLESS AMERICA! WE ARE STILL A CHRISTIAN NATION WHETHER OUR PRESIDENT ADMITS IT OR NOT. EVERY KNEE WILL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

Sorry Bobby but you are so rushed to accuse people of ignorance because their ideals don't agree with yours; you fail to see your own apparent ignorance too. But you are entitled to your own opinion to do with as you like. It appears to me that you view religion as a cult that carries no basis of reality. If that be so, why do you worry about it at all? You say to someone, “if it wasn't for guys like me protecting your right to speak freely and spout off as ignorant as you want to be, brother.” Here’s some enlightenment for you. Many others have gone before you. You say, “I am a Special Forces officer with 19 years of service in the Army”. Did you say officer? Most officers I knew were gentlemen and never came across as a$$holes to the general public. You say, and “multiple tours in combat”. Again, many other have gone before you.

I am of the opinion that you are off topic but lack the understanding as to what the topic was. Each of our interpretations of the topic differ I guess. Truth can be painful and one way to avoid the pain is to deny the truth.

Be safe in your upcoming deployment and as always we pray for the safety of all the troops regardless of their beliefs.

PS: You went to great effort to point out the English mistakes of Martin. Therefore, in your comment, “your just spewing ignorance”, I think the word would be; you’re or perhaps you are.

Bob your ignorance of God's word is clear. What are you praying for and to whom are you praying? Do you believe God responds to just any prayer? Jesus declared in John 14:6, " I am the way, the truth , and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." In vs. 13 He says, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." And I still stand by my original statement!

GM,
Thanks for wishing other Soldiers and me well, I mean that sincerely. My wife and many others would agree with you that I am an an intolerable smart-ass, so you are spot on there brother, guilty as charged. I think I'm a decent officer though, although I cannot prove it, so you'll have to take me on my word until I prove otherwise. Thanks for catching my spelling error, obviously a typo; I was berating Keith Martin for the veritable slaughter he performed on my native language in his previous post, so I deserve it! Keith, perhaps I owe you an apology for being critical of your spelling ability. However, I have served for almost 19 years in the Army, in peace and war; I don't ever judge any person by their race, color or creed, but by their deeds and their deeds alone; to judge someone's intentions or character merely by whom they pray to (if at all) is prejudice, pure and simple, and I do not appreciate it.

GM, I looked back on my posts; did I make a qualitative judgment about any religion in any of my previous posts? I don't believe I did, and for the record, I never stated any religion is or isn't a cult, or say that all religions are equal, or even that I believe that there is some universal truth that unites all religions, or any kind of ecumenical feel good crap. I didn't state how I feel personally about Islam, either, because it is irrelevant to the argument. I DID state that I am a Roman Catholic though, and for what it's worth, my faith is important to me.
Beyond the sarcasm that I let loose previously, I had two main points on this topic, and I will reiterate them: (1) I agree with the Army's decision dis-inviting Graham from the Pentagon; and I do not believe anyone's rights (religious or speech) were infringed upon in the action.

Graham was inadvertently invited to the Pentagon through the Chaplain's office, the chain of command was not initially aware that he was going to be the primary speaker at the event; as I wrote earlier, the prayer event is to be held in a Federal Installation closed to the general public, and it is a religious event. Many people, not just Muslims, think that crossed a line, especially since Franklin has stridently denounced Islam in the past, and denounced the Muslim faith even recently. It’s certainly his right to do so, but letting him come pray to an exclusive audience in the Pentagon reeks of impropriety, and is a slap in the face to the devout muslims who work there (in uniform and civilians) and find him offensive. Mr. Martin and you may believe Muslims are evil, but the government does not. Many muslims who work in the pentagon hold the highest clearances, and work on critical national security issues. The government trusts them, and so do I. Inviting a public figure who routinely insults their religion and its adherents on national television is not the best thing to do if you want to maintain good order and discipline in a military organization. I would feel the same way if they had invited an imam who had condoned suicide attacks against Israelis in the past to speak there as well. So they dis-invited Graham, and the Prayer day event is still scheduled, albeit with a different minister; additionally, on any given day, Soldiers and civilians there have terrific access to religious services. Unless one’s religion explicitly requires someone with the last name of Graham present at religious services (in which case I would have been happy if the SECDEF had substituted sexy Heather for uptight, buttoned-up Franklin), no one in the Pentagon’s constitutional rights were infringed upon. There is a robust ministry team with chaplains of many faiths and Christian denominations there. The event itself is still scheduled, albeit without Graham’s controversial presence, and probably short the dreadful country western singers that were to tag along with him. That prayer day event is just a one day deal, too, but there are excellent religious services available to personnel there every day of the week. As an illustration of services and support offered there, when I was at work today, I noticed on the Pentagon Chaplain’s office electronic bulletin board (there is one close to the locker room at the gym) that there was a protestant service, a muslim service, and catholic confession scheduled for today, which gives you an idea of how well peoples’ religious needs are met. I would argue that a Pentagon employee has greater access to ministry services than people working for a firm such as Walmart, or any civilian endeavor.
And certainly Graham’s rights were not infringed upon. He was invited to a closed Federal facility for a private ceremony that you, the public, could not attend, and then dis-invited. No one from the public could even attend, and any people who chose to protest his presence would be arrested for trespassing on site, were they able to get in at all. Franklin is still certainly free to preach in any public place he chooses to, and if he preached in the National Mall less than 2 kilometers away from the Pentagon, EVERYONE in the entire US government would be able to attend, not just the DOD employees. It’s a public place, and those who are opposed to his message would have the opportunity to protest as well, unlike in the Pentagon. Additionally, last weekend Graham was afforded the opportunity to speak with President Obama in person when Obama visited his father’s house too, so he has political access above and beyond what leaders of many other religions have. Franklin has a great deal of ECONOMIC freedom as well; service to the Lord has been a lucrative venture for the Franklin family.
I have spent too much time either deployed to Central Asia or focused on the threat of Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other violent Islamic organizations to ever argue that it is not a serious threat. But there are hundreds of thousands of muslims who live in the United States, many of whom serve in the military, or work in various government agencies, pay (ever higher) taxes, and never so much as get a parking ticket here. There are more than just a few Muslims who work at the Pentagon, too, especially when one takes into account the 8000 civilians who are employed there along with the 16,000 uniformed military personnel in the building (the pentagon is like a city, it even has its own police force and fire department). Many have the highest possible clearances a person can have. The government trusts them, and I do as well. To equate them with fanatics based on a shared faith, and not their actions, is racist, ignorant, and patently wrong. You may disagree with my opinion, that’s fine; I’d remind you again that there are also Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and even a few Wiccans buried at Arlington National Cemetery though, who managed to prove themselves trustworthy enough to pay the ultimate price and be buried with the highest honors after serving this country, many with valor awards. As long as I am in uniform, and after I retire, I am going to do my best to ensure that everyone is treated equally under the law, and in accordance with the constitution and the uniform code of military justice.

And I stand by remarks previously about the boot on the neck deal. Sure, I may be a bit of a sarcastic jerk, but if it wasn't for people like me, and the guys who came before me,the only book people of any faith in this country would be reading right now is a little red one.

Mr. Martin, in case you were unaware, Al Qaeda attacked the Pentagon on 9/11, too. I serve with people who were there that day and survived, and i have prayed many times with families of people who died during the attacks. We have a memorial there at the Pentagon in their honor. I have also deployed to combat because of the fanatics who attacked that day as well. Every year on memorial day I attend a ceremony wherever I am at to honor the fallen as well. So I do my part for those that Islamic fanatics have killed in the past and continue to threaten now.

What about you, Mr. Martin, have you done your part to understand your fellow Americans? Have you ever stood face to face with a Muslim, Jewish, atheist, or otherwise non-evangelical Soldier or Marine and have a religious discussion, or argue with that person about how they are evil because of their faith? The Pentagon Chaplain office telephone number is (703) 695-3336, it should be easy enough for you to arrange a visit.

This is the problem with religion..it turns brother against brother.. Let God do the judging and condemning. You do not want the responsiblity that comes with judging someone elses beliefs as being evil. We do not know Gods purpose for Islam in this world but I assure you he knows it is here.

You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image, when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do - Anne Lamott

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction - Blaise Paschal

well bob ,i dont think im going to change your mind and you are not going to change mine. i dont judge anyone by their color or race either.everyone should have the right to worship whoever or whatever they believe in. my point in this whole argument is that graham should have been allowed to speak. we have gone overboard in this country trying to be politically correct. the only group that you can say anything about and not be called offensive is evangelical christians. we are the whipping posts of the world and Christ said we would be for following him. now listen here brother ( bob you must have listened to one too many hulk hogan tapes)i would be glad to stand face to face and toe to toe with anyonewith on this earth and discuss the only way of salvation and victory and that is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.however i feel you can do that without being rude, disrespectfull, or judgemental. all we as christians can and should do is to spread the good news, not force it on anyone such as the muslims do . you have a free choice, God gives it to us, so which way we choose to go is entirely up to us. i do also recall the attack on the pentagon, and the many other attacks around the world angainst the U.S. and Iseral by muslims. are all muslims bad people? no but i stand by my original statement that islam is based on a demonic vision of mohamed. well, like i said bob we obiously are not going to change each others minds or opinions . maybe we could have a debate on larry king or someting and get paid instead of wasting our time on here. thanks for the phone number you gave me and if you have a quarter, me and travis tritt have someone you can call . yea i guess im a smartass too. good luck on your next deployment and i do respect and honor all our service men and woman , even those like you bob ,that i disagree with their personal opinions.and i know i slaughter your native language bob and this whole starting a new paragraph thing ive never cared for either but i think you can still comprehend my mess.well so long and God Bless, hope that didnt ofend anyone. well weve debated religion bob, next time wanna try politics , the designated hitter or perhaps tastes great or less filling.seriously keep ypur head down over there and i will keep you and your family and all our service men and women in my prayers.

This picture tells it all. Here you have an evangelist in a brown leather jacket with a GI haircut; arms crossed, standing in a hanger with his back to a cross cut out of the back wall and a beam of light streaming through. I see stuff like this and I just cringe when thinking about how many descent folk gets sucked into this theological exclusive mindset. Religion mixed with nationalism has been the down fall of many. God help us all!

I do believe this is a sore subject to many. Religion is, in many ways,and one must remember, religion is responsible for more deaths by violent means than any other subject. I have no problem with everyone's belief as long as I am left to my own. The only problem with the muslim religion,to me, is in the Koran, it teaches, when a true believer meets an infidel, there is only three choices-- Change the other persons religion,tax them,or kill them. It also teaches if I am not too far off base,it is a duty to lie to infidels. How do we know a lie won't come at the wrong time, that will cost many lives. If a woman is raped, the relatives usually kill the woman and not the rapist---She had it coming due to her actions
Where are the outrages of the Muslim community when a suicide bomber takes out a whole market place and multitudes of women and children are killed in the name of Allah,and the bomber will be blessed, by letting him sit on the right hand of Muhammad, and have 72 virgins at his beck and call.Wonder what the women suicide bombers get? A woman is a second hand citizen and considered to be a piece of property. Will they be blessed by Muhammad, get to sit next to him and be blessed with 72 virgin men to please her? I wonder.

What kind of wine has Mikey Weinstein been drinking?
As an anti-Christian Jewish supremacist and as the president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, he's doing all he can to create an anti-Jewish backlash and help bring about the predicted endtime Holocaust of Jews that'll be worse than Hitler's.
Neither Falwell, Hagee nor any other Christian initiated this prediction. But Weinstein's ancient Hebrew prophets did.
In the 13th and 14th chapters of his Old Testament book, Zechariah predicted that after Israel's rebirth ALL nations will eventually be against Israel and that TWO-THIRDS of all Jews will be killed!
Malachi revealed the reasons: "Judah hath dealt treacherously" and "the Lord will cut off the man that doeth this."
Haven't evangelicals generally been the best friends of Israel and persons perceived to be Jewish? Then please explain the hate-filled back-stabbing by David Letterman (and Sandra Bernhard, Kathy Griffin, Bill Maher etc.) against followers of Jesus such as Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann.
Weinstein wouldn't dare assert that citizens on government property don't have freedom of speech or press freedom or freedom to assemble or to petition the government.
But God-hater Weinstein maliciously wants to eliminate from government property the "free exercise" of religion - especially by evangelicals - a freedom found in the same First Amendment. Significantly, this freedom was purposely listed FIRST by America's founders!
And Weinstein wouldn't try to foist "separation of church and state" on strongly-Jewish Israel, but he does try to foist this non-Constitution-mentioned phrase on strongly-Christian America.
In light of Weinstein's Jewish protectionism and violently anti-Christian obsession, Christians in these endtimes should be reminded of Jesus' warning in Mark 13:9 (see also Luke 21:12) that "in the synagogues ye shall be beaten."
Maybe it's time for some modern Paul Reveres to saddle up and shout "The Yiddish are Coming!"

PS - Some, like Weinstein, are so treacherously anti-Christian they will even join hands at times with enemies, including Muslims, in order to silence evangelicals. It was Weinstein, BTW, who put pressure on the Pentagon to dis-invite Franklin Graham from speaking there on the National Day of Prayer!
PPS - Weinstein is an echo of the anti-Christian, anti-American Hollywood which for a century has dangled every known vice before young people. We seriously wonder how soon the lethal worldwide "flood of filth" (global harming!) that Hollywood has created will engulf and destroy itself and help to bring to power the endtime Antichrist (a.k.a. the Man of Sin and the Wicked One)!

#19.1
I do not want to judge a religion at all.
When it comes to who is killing most of the innocent women and children due to their belief,it's no doubt radical muslems.
Take the time to find out for yourself the laws spelled out for them to follow when it comes to dealing with infidels,and come back and tell me I am not suppose to judge.
Out of the 24 conflects going on in the world, about 20 of them are muslem related,due to religion. How about that? The only thing they want you to do is worship like they tell you,or die. JUDGE THAT!!!

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